An activist, Just Adetoun has apologised and made amends with a mother she publicly criticised for taking her 11-year-old daughter to her street-sweeping job as early as 5am.
Many Nigerians condemned Adetoun’s action for her insensitivity especially in exposing the face of the minor and ridiculing the mother who was doing her legitimate job.
Adetoun visited the mother’s home, acknowledging her initial approach was insensitive and expressing regret for any harm caused.
Prior to the apology, Adetoun had filmed the mother, questioning her for bringing her 11-year-old daughter out by 5am for street-sweeping. She had also threatened to report her, saying the child will be taken from her if such repeated itself.
She captioned the video: “Pls let’s protect all our children from child labour. I will listen to her situation and we will see a way to help her but for now let the society understand what child labour is and let’s not encourage it please”.
“Obviously for someone to wake up leave iyana oworo and be sweeping before 5am there is PROBLEM. Times are hard but our children must not be exploited
She offered support, providing a monthly stipend in addition to the mother’s N19,500 earnings”.
Adetoun shared an update on Instagram, apologising for any misunderstanding and reaffirming her commitment to advocating for the child’s well-being.
“APOLOGIES ON HOW YOU ALL SAW THE VIDEO. I knew something was wrong, but the rights of the child were most important. She comes all the way from inside Oworo to Ikoyi for just 19,500 monthly. MY INTENTION WAS CLEAR IN MY CAPTION,” she wrote.
